Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to rename their men’s domestic One-Day Cup after the late Dean Jones. This move comes after CA launched a campaign on its digital platforms to select one of the three players’ names for the tournament.
Over 10,000 Australian fans participated in the process, selecting Jones’ name with the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee further pushing the recommendation. Jones was one of the three players, along with Michael Bevan and Andrew Symonds, to have been assessed on certain parameters.
The committee considered the top performer among them at the international level in One-Day cricket, along with the impact created by them in the format.
Jones’ credentials ticked the boxes, as he showcased his brilliance at the domestic as well as international level for Australia. The former right-hand batter accrued 2,122 runs in 55 One-Day Cup games, including four centuries and 19 fifties. He was at the helm of Victoria when they won the One-Day Cup in the 1994/95 season.
On the global stage, Jones plundered 6,068 runs in 164 ODIs in Australia’s colours while being part of the World Cup-winning squad in 1987.
Peter King, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chair, said: “When the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame selection committee assessed the players for this honour, one player’s performance, record, standing, contribution and impact stood out clearly for it to be a unanimous decision.
“Dean Jones revolutionised the One-Day game and stamped it on the minds of all Australians, it is deserved recognition for someone whose contribution was so vast.,” he further added.
Jones’ daughter, Phoebe, felt grateful for the recognition of her father’s contribution and she thanked CA and the Hall of Fame committee for bestowing this honour.
Phoebe Jones said: “On behalf of the Jones family we are very grateful for this recognition of our Dad, who we miss dearly. It makes it extra special knowing its fan voted and will be unveiled today at what he nicknamed ‘his office’ at the MCG.
“Dad would be extremely proud to receive this acknowledgement. He loved representing Victoria in this competition and winning the 50-over World Cup for Australia in 1987 was what he described as the greatest cricketing day of his life.
CA also decided to award the Player of the Final a medal named after Michael Bevan. He was one of Australia’s finest finishers in the format.
The Dean Jones Trophy and Michael Bevan Medal will be awarded on March 1 on the final day of the One-Day Cup season.
